Story By Katie Hightower
On Oct. 28, the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon at the Goose Pond Civic Center. The luncheon was created to recognize the chamber’s work, impactful businesses and outstanding individuals in the community.
The meeting opened with a welcome from Mountain Lakes Camber of Commerce Board Chairman Brian Presson. Pastor Ryan Johnson from Agape Baptist Church gave an invocation. Shila Wadkins from Scottsboro City Schools led the Pledge of Allegiance and Skyline’s Hank Utter sang the National Anthem.
The presenting sponsor of the event was Scottsboro Weight Loss. Gold sponsors included Mashburn Outdoor Billboards, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Scottsboro Electric Power Board, Highlands Medical Center, PNC Construction, HTPG, City of Scottsboro, Family Savings Credit Union, CFD Research and Northeast Alabama Community College. Silver sponsors included the Jackson County Sentinel, Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Southern Heating & Cooling and Vulcan Materials. Bronze sponsors included Mr. Rooter, Town of Skyline, People’s Independent Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust, City of Stevenson, Town of Woodville, Nicholas Financial Services, Builder Supply Company, Air Evac, Air Medicare Network, Scottsboro Funeral Home, Dekalb Orthopedics & Sports Med, Blue Line Janitorial Services and Cadence Bank.
Presson gave highlights of the chamber’s accomplishments throughout the year which included its annual drive-ins and fly-ins to Montgomery and Washington D.C. to represent our community and talk to those in congress about issues in our community. He said the chamber worked with My Lake Guntersville to battle invasive aquatic plants in Lake Guntersville.
Presson also said in 2024, Jackson County welcomed 1.5 million tourists, travel-related jobs increased to 1,200 local workers and visitors spent $93 million which included a half million on lodging. He said this year lodging was up 31% with short-term rentals. Deborah Luke with Hampton Inn and Suites was recognized with the Tourism Partner Award for her role in making Jackson County a welcoming place.
Presson said the chamber launched a new tourism logo and a Fish Lake Guntersville campaign and Jackson County hosted four major fishing tournaments this year. Attendance with the JC Underground quadrupled last year and paddling events showcased river access. Presson said the chamber was invested with the Singing River Trail to improve river access and options.
There were over 4.3 million views on the chamber’s social media page. With a partnership with Mashburn Billboards, the chamber was able to advertise local events. He said the MLCC was accredited and also MLCC’s President Rick Roden was an accredited executive. MLCC was in the top seven in the state with total revenue. He said 60% of businesses in the area were chamber members.
Alabama Representative Mike Kirkland read a resolution passed by the Alabama House of Representatives which recognized March 28 as Women in Construction Week. Nancy Griggs, from MLCC’s Workforce Solutions, assisted in the Pink Hard Hats Resolution Presentation. The resolution was a call to action to encourage women in the construction and manufacturing industries. USG was recognized with Jackson County’s Pink Hard Hats Partner of the Year Award for its role in encouraging women in the workforce.
Two businesses and an educator were recognized for their role in the YouScience program which encouraged students at both Scottsboro City Schools and Jackson County Schools in science and innovation. Google was recognized for its $57k investment in the program’s first three years. HTPG was recognized for its $94k investment for the programs past five years. Malinda Sommers from Scottsboro City Schools was recognized as a YouScience Innovative Educator.
There were many awards presented at the luncheon that recognized outstanding businesses and individuals in the community. The Scottsboro City Council was recognized with the Friend of the Chamber Award. HTPG was recognized with the Workforce Partnership Award.
Jared Dovers was awarded Citizen of the Year for his hard work and dedication in making Jackson County a better place to raise children.
Betty Esslinger earned the Lifetime Achievement Award. During her award presentation, members of the audience who were taught by her were asked to stand up. She was visibly touched and teared up.
Nita Tolliver won the Woman of the Year Award.
“I’m so blessed to be here. I’m so blessed to be in front of y’all,” she said. “I’m just a servant from God and that’s what I want to do. I just want to serve our community and make us all be great in whatever we do that life brings to us. Thank you and I really do appreciate everybody.”
Lt. Derek Porch was recognized with a Bravery & Sacrifice Award. He was not able to attend the luncheon due to his ongoing recovery from his injury he sustained while on the job in July. Captain Ryan Putman received the award on his behalf.
Other awards included Jillian Bride, MLCC’s Emissary of the Year Award; Amy and John Paul Lambert with 302 West, Jackson County Small Business Award; Sean Hill with The Grapevine, Jackson County Small Business Award; Erica Estes with Southern Heating and Cooling, Jackson County Small Business with 11-50 employees and Harbin Automotive, Jackson County Small Business with 50-100 employees.
